Use Technology To Tackle South West Insecurity

Use Technology To Tackle South West Insecurity – Monarch Appeals to FG
Monarch advocates drones and technology for security operations
Traditional rulers seek constitutional role in national security

The Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude, has said the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the South-West were long anticipated and require stronger coordination and modern technology to address effectively.

The monarch made the remarks on Sunday when he received the leadership of the Osun Online Publishers Association, stressing that Nigeria’s security architecture needs improved cooperation between the Federal Government, South-West governors and security agencies.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Oba Oyelude said the deployment of drones and surveillance systems would significantly improve intelligence gathering and reduce risks faced by security operatives on the field.

He explained that technology could help security agencies monitor forests, border communities and rural settlements where criminal activities often occur.

“The wave of insecurity in the Southwest is what had been foreseen ahead of time. I believe the Federal Government and governors in the Southwest are up to the task. Security budgets have been approved, but what we need now is proper coordination and application of platforms, both hardware and software,” he said.

“Rather than endangering our security personnel unnecessarily, drone technology and surveillance equipment will solve a lot of problems,” he added.

The monarch urged residents not to panic, but to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies, warning against politicising insecurity.

He said effective security response required unity among all stakeholders, noting that division would only weaken efforts to tackle kidnapping and violent crime.

Oba Oyelude also highlighted structural limitations in Nigeria’s security system, saying state governments do not have full control over federal security forces deployed in their domains.

He stressed the need for stronger coordination between federal and state authorities to ensure better results in combating insecurity.

The traditional ruler called for the strengthening of regional security outfits such as Amotekun, saying they remain vital to community based intelligence and rapid response.

“In the Southwest, we already have a nomenclature of state policing through Amotekun. Every state government should strengthen its Amotekun corps, while the Federal Government should also up its game by deploying more security platforms,” he said.

Oba Oyelude also lamented the limited constitutional role of traditional rulers, saying it has weakened grassroots intelligence gathering and community security support.

He urged the National Assembly to urgently consider constitutional reforms that would formally recognise traditional institutions and give them clearer roles in governance and security management.

The monarch added that traditional rulers remain closest to the people and are well positioned to support intelligence gathering, conflict resolution and community mobilisation if properly empowered.

He called on President Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities to recognise traditional institutions as key partners in national development and security coordination.

South West Insecurity – Monarch Appeals to FG

Oba Oyelude maintained that insecurity in the region could be better managed through technology, stronger local security structures and improved collaboration between all levels of government.